Actress Jessica Chastain came in for criticism this past week when it was announced that she had signed on to produce and star in Eve, an action-thriller from writer-director Matthew Newton.
Newton has a long history of domestic violence and alleged assault allegations, and given Chastain’s involvement with the Time’s Up campaign and #MeToo movement, it comes as little surprise that the news was met with a vocal online backlash.
In response, Newton has now released a statement where he reveals that he has stepped down as director of the project:
“Yesterday I notified Jessica Chastain and the other producers on the film ‘Eve’ that I will be stepping down as director. Since the announcement of this film, the responses, which are powerful and important, have not fallen on deaf ears. I am profoundly aware that I have a responsibility to lead where I have failed in the past.
I can never undo the harm that I’ve caused the people I’ve cared about and I carry that shame and responsibility with me every day. Over the past eight years, I have been working extensively with healthcare professionals to help me overcome my addiction and mental health illness.
For the past six years, I have lived a quiet and sober life. All I can do now is try to be a living amends and hopefully contribute to the positive change occurring in our industry.”
Chastain remains on board and will produce the movie via her Freckle Films banner alongside Kelly Carmichael, Nicolas Chartier, and Dominic Rustam.
Via Variety
